Images: Ancient Mural Tomb Discovered in China

Beauty in death

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

Archaeologists in Shuozhou City, in China, have uncovered a "mural tomb" dating back almost 1,500 years. Believed to be used by a local military commander and his wife the murals cover about 860 square feet of space. This particular mural is on the west wall of the passageway leading into the tomb. It shows a door guard leaning against his sword, watching warily.

Protected in death

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

On the opposite wall of the passageway a guard of honor, some mounted on horses, stand watch over the tomb. The color of their uniforms is still vibrant despite the passage of time.

Announcing your entrance

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

Four men blow into long horns at the entranceway into the tomb chamber, located on the south wall.

Forever together

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

An image of the two buried individuals was painted on the north wall of the tomb chamber. At right is the male, believed to be a local military commander, and at left is his wife. They are seated under a canopy enjoying a banquet. To the right of the depiction of the buried male are male musicians and attendants. To the left of his wife are female musicians and attendants. Notice that all the females have their hair tied in the same style, a shape described by archaeologists as looking like a "flying bird."

Great detail of the celebration

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

The male musicians to the right of the depiction of the buried male. One is playing a large harp while to his left a musician in blue holds a windpipe instrument.

Cavalry at the ready

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

On the east wall of the tomb chamber is a great red horse with two cavalry lines, off in the distance, to the right.

Detail of the cavalry

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

An up-close view of a cavalry line, the color of their pennants can still be seen.

Strangers on a journey

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

On the west wall of the tomb chamber is a carriage pulled by a tan ox. The two drivers each have black hair and a "curly beard" and may be foreigners. Behind the carriage are five female attendants, a parasol above them.

Detail on female attendents

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

A close-up of four of the female attendants under a parasol. Notice the detail of their "flying bird" hairstyles.

An infinite sky

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

The dome ceiling of the tomb is painted dark gray to "signify the infinite space of the sky." A silver river, with waves, weaves across the sky representing the Milky Way galaxy. Stars can be seen and the sun is represented at center-right and the moon at center-left.

A light for eternity

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

The sun, in the sky, is shown with a "gold crow" at center.

The Green Dragon

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

Below the sky map is a depiction of four supernatural beings. One of them, the Green Dragon, is seen here.

The Scarlet Bird

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

A depiction of the Scarlet Bird, another supernatural being shown below the sky map.

Zodiac Animals

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

Below the four supernatural beings are 12 animals of the zodiac, this one a horse.

Another animal of the Zodiac

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

Another of the zodiac animals below the supernatural beings, this one a hare.

Owen Jarus writes about archaeology and all things about humans' past for Live Science. Owen has a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Toronto and a journalism degree from Ryerson University. He enjoys reading about new research and is always looking for a new historical tale.

Owen Jarus, Live Science Contributor
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Beauty in death

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

Archaeologists in Shuozhou City, in China, have uncovered a "mural tomb" dating back almost 1,500 years. Believed to be used by a local military commander and his wife the murals cover about 860 square feet of space. This particular mural is on the west wall of the passageway leading into the tomb. It shows a door guard leaning against his sword, watching warily.

Protected in death

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

On the opposite wall of the passageway a guard of honor, some mounted on horses, stand watch over the tomb. The color of their uniforms is still vibrant despite the passage of time.

Announcing your entrance

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

Four men blow into long horns at the entranceway into the tomb chamber, located on the south wall.

Forever together

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

An image of the two buried individuals was painted on the north wall of the tomb chamber. At right is the male, believed to be a local military commander, and at left is his wife. They are seated under a canopy enjoying a banquet. To the right of the depiction of the buried male are male musicians and attendants. To the left of his wife are female musicians and attendants. Notice that all the females have their hair tied in the same style, a shape described by archaeologists as looking like a "flying bird."

Great detail of the celebration

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

The male musicians to the right of the depiction of the buried male. One is playing a large harp while to his left a musician in blue holds a windpipe instrument.

Cavalry at the ready

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

On the east wall of the tomb chamber is a great red horse with two cavalry lines, off in the distance, to the right.

Detail of the cavalry

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

An up-close view of a cavalry line, the color of their pennants can still be seen.

Strangers on a journey

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

On the west wall of the tomb chamber is a carriage pulled by a tan ox. The two drivers each have black hair and a "curly beard" and may be foreigners. Behind the carriage are five female attendants, a parasol above them.

Detail on female attendents

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

A close-up of four of the female attendants under a parasol. Notice the detail of their "flying bird" hairstyles.

An infinite sky

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

The dome ceiling of the tomb is painted dark gray to "signify the infinite space of the sky." A silver river, with waves, weaves across the sky representing the Milky Way galaxy. Stars can be seen and the sun is represented at center-right and the moon at center-left.

A light for eternity

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

The sun, in the sky, is shown with a "gold crow" at center.

The Green Dragon

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

Below the sky map is a depiction of four supernatural beings. One of them, the Green Dragon, is seen here.

The Scarlet Bird

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

A depiction of the Scarlet Bird, another supernatural being shown below the sky map.

Zodiac Animals

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

Below the four supernatural beings are 12 animals of the zodiac, this one a horse.

Another animal of the Zodiac

Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

Another of the zodiac animals below the supernatural beings, this one a hare.